Salt Marshes And Sand Dunes Flashcards
What is the first stage in dune succession?
Embryo dune
The embryo dune is the initial stage where sand gathers around obstacles.
What type of plants colonize small dunes during succession?
Pioneer species
These hardy plants are crucial for the establishment of the dune ecosystem.
What do small dunes develop into as more sand accumulates?
Fore/yellow dunes
These dunes represent the second stage in dune succession.
What happens to plant diversity as dune succession progresses?
Plant diversity begins to increase
This indicates a more stable and mature ecosystem.
What marks the end of plant succession in dune ecosystems?
Climax community
In the UK, a climax community would be oak woodland.
Fill in the blank: Salt marshes are coastal wetlands that are flooded and drained by _______.
salt water
This flooding occurs due to the tides.
What is the composition of soil in salt marshes?
Deep mud and peat
Peat is made of decomposing plant matter.
In which geographical areas do salt marshes commonly occur?
Middle to high latitudes
They thrive along protected shorelines.
What is peat characterized by?
Waterlogged, root-filled, and very spongy
These properties result from the accumulation of decomposing plant material.
What is a key feature of salt marsh succession?
Trophytes can tolerate salt water
These plants play a significant role in the ecosystem’s development.
True or False: Salt marshes are a common habitat in estuaries.
True
They provide essential ecological functions in these regions.
What is the term for the high limit of tidal marsh?
Mean High Water
This refers to the average height of high tide.
What is the term for areas that are infrequently inundated with salt?
Salt meadow
These areas are less frequently flooded compared to other marsh zones.
Fill in the blank: Salt marshes are characterized by _______ inundation.
Periodic
This refers to the regular flooding and draining by tides.
